Inking system for planographic printing machines



Sept. 22, 1936. H c OSBQRN v 2,054,830

INKING SYSTEM FOR PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 19, 1953 4 Sheets-Sheet l QQQ Q0 flaw", $4M NEW pt. 22, 1936. I H. c. OSBQRN 2,054,830

, INKING SYSTEM FOR PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 19, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 22, 1936. l H. c. OSBORN INKING SYSTEM FOR PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 19, 1955 Sept. 22, 1936. N 2,054,830

' INKING SYSTEM FOR PLANOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 19, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet4 5 7QW$W M wwwwl Patented Sept. 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INKING SYSTEM'FOB PLANOGRAPHIO PRINTING MACHINES Henry C. Osborn,

mesne assignments,

Cleveland, Ohio, asslgnor, by to Addressograph-Multie graph Corporation, Cleveland, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application October 19, 1933, Serial No. 694,292

18 Claims.

continuous printing surface, as for instance, a

planographic plate mounted on-a pattern roll. By this invention the even distribution of ink is unaffected by the gap between the ends of the plate on such roll. This is eifected by gearin an inking roll with the plate carrier to positively drive that roll and providing a subsequently acting inking roll which isfrictionally driven and operates to smooth out any irregularities resulting from the gear-driven roll.

Preferably there are but two form rolls, each of which is engaged by a single distributing roll, which is axially reciprocable but not positively driven. In such combinationthefirst form roll is positively driven by the plate carrying cylinder and receives ink by means of a suitable ductor roll. This first form roll frictionally drives the distrib'- 'utin'g roll which frictionally drives the second form roll, which is the last roll acting on the plate and hence is able to give a smoothing action to the previously applied ink.

A printing machine of the planographic type, embodying all features of this invention, is illustrated in the drawings hereof and hereinafter fully described.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a printing machine having my inking system; Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section as indicated by the line 2-2 on Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectiontaken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section through and parallel to the axes of the-various rolls as indicated by the offset line 4-4 on Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section as indicated by the lines 5-5 on Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a ratchet feed mechanism used in connection with the fountain roll of the ink supply mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, and especially to Fig. 3, the printing machine comprises in general a pair of main frame-plates A spaced apart by suitable transverse frame members C. A pair of supplemental frame plates B are secured to the respective main frame members A and support certain parts of the inking mechanism as will be hereinafter more fully described.

Journalled in the frame plates A is a pattern roll shaft ill, to which a' suitable pattern roll II is drivingly secured. This roll has on its periphery a non-continuous planographic printing surface having the image to be prln'ted'reproduced thereon in the usual manner. The surface is provided by a removable plate [2, the end por-' tions of which are held within a gap Na in the pattern roll.

As shown, the plate I! comprises a comparatively' thin flexible metallic member, one end of which may be provided with suitable perfora- 8 tions (not shown) but through which lugs is carried by the roll II project. The plate I2 is then wrapped about the periphery of the roll and suitable openings (not shown) in the other end thereof may embrace lugs i5 carried by a retaining 10 plate IS. The retaining plate is supported by arms II which extend into the gap Illa' of the roll I I and rotatably embrace the roll shaft i0. Sultable springs l8 are interposed between the arms I! and the roll I I to draw the plate i2 tightly into contact with the periphery of the'rolt and to maintain it taut during the printing operations.

The pattern plate I! is inked by an inking mechanism hereinafter to be more fully described, and the inked image ofthe plate i2 transfers the ink thereon to the surface of a transfer or offset roll 20 which lies beneath the pattern roll ll. As shown in Fig. 3, the offset .roll comprises a cylindrical roll similar to the pattern roll and is drivingly mounted on a shaft 23 which is jour- 25 nailed in suitable hearings in the frame plates A. A blanket 2|, composed of rubber or other suitable ink transferring material, is secured to a plate 22 and mounted on the periphery of the roll 20 in the same manner as the pattern plate It! is mounted on the pattern roll II and heretofore described in detail.

The inked pattern transferred to the offset roll 20 from the pattern plate I! is imprinted on the material to be printed by such offset roll. As 35, shown in Fig. 3, a suitable platen roll 30 is drivingly mounted on a shaft 3| which is journalled in the frame plates A. The material to be printed may be fed over a suitable guide table 32 to the bite of the offset roll 20 and the platen roll 30.40

and thereby receives the inked impression from the-offset roll. The image may be reproduced-on the plate by any of the several well-known methods and hence need not be herein described.

The inking mechanism of this invention has been found particularly valuable with that type of planographic printing process wherein the plate I2 is given a chemical treatment. to make its non-image areas receptive to an ink repellant, and especially to a repellant other than water. The drawings illustrate my mechanism for applying such repeliant, known asthe repellant applicator. This applicator is hereinafter more fully described but no claim is made to it per se in this application. As shown the applicator is mounted in supplemental frame plates F, which are pivotally secured to the main frame plates A as at 44, and secured in position by an adjustable link connection 44a.

As shown in the drawings and especially Figs. 2 and 3, the ink repellant, which is a solution, is in a reservoir or suitable fountain trough 40, the supply of repellant being replenished from time to time by the operator, as required. Mounted above the trough or fountain is a normally stationary roll 4I around which is wrapped several layers of fluid absorbing or .wick material 42, the outermost end 43 of which is free and projects into the repellant in the fountain trough 40. The roll 4| may be rotated slightly in either direction to adjust the length of wick which is submerged in the fluid, thereby regulating the amount of repellant on wrappings of the roll itself. This may be accomplished by the operator grasping the wick surface by his fingers, though I have shown a knob 4Ia (Fig. l) for this purpose. The friction of the roll in its bearings holds it in any set position.

Suitable mechanism is provided to transfer the repellant from the wick 42 to the plate I2 in a manner capable offlne adjustment, so that repellants which are required in small amounts and with much accuracy may readily be used. Such repellants are chemical solutions, usually more viscous than water, but the chemical constituents form no part of the present invention.

As shown in Fig. 3, a form roll which is covered with felt, fabric, or other fibrous wrapper 46 is mounted between a pair of arms 41, which are in turn rotatably supported on a cross-frame member, such, for instance, as the shaft 48. Suitable springs, one of which is shown in Fig. 2 at 49, act on the lowermost ends of the arms 41 and serve to maintain the form roll 45 in contact with the pattern or form I2.

The repellant liquid is transferred from the wick 42 to the repellant form roll 45 by a suitable ductor roll 50. As shown in Fig. 3, the ductor roll is mounted in the upper ends of a pair of arms 5| pivotally mounted on a shaft 52 which is carried in the supplemental frame members B. The ductor roll is oscillated, between the wick 42 and the form roll 45, about the shaft 52 in the usual manner by mechanism hereinafter to be described in detail.

The ink supply is carried in a suitable reservoir or ink fountain 80 and is fed to the pattern'or form plate I2 by a pair of spaced form rolls 60 and 6| which lie above and on opposite sides of the axis of the pattern roll II. As shown in Fig. 3, the ink fountain 80 is mounted between and secured to the supplemental frame member B. The fountain may comprise the usual fountain frame 8I in which is rotatably mounted a rubber covered ink fountain roll 83. A suitable flexible fountain blade 84 is secured to the fountain frame and its lower edge is adjustably retained against the fountain roll 83 by a series of adjusting screws, one of which is shown in Fig. 3 at 85.

- The ink is removed from the fountain 80 by the fountain roll 83 and transferred to the form roll 60 by a suitable ductor roll 86. The ductor roll preferablycomprises a rubber covered roll and is rotatably mounted between the upper ends of a pair of rock arms 81 secured to a rock shaft 88, as shown in Fig. 3, and are alternately swung into contact with the fountain roll 83 and the form roll 60.

The form roll GI serves to smooth out the ink applied to the form or pattern I2 by the roll 80 and hence it is essential that the ink applied to this roll 6| be as evenly distributed as possible. I therefore mount a distributor roll 63 above and in contact with the rolls 60 and 6 I. In this way the ink is transferred to the distributor roll 63 by the roll 60, after the latter has contacted with the form, and transfers such ink to the other form roll 6|.

The distributor roll 83 also is given a reciprocating axial movementto thoroughly distribute and mix the ink on both of the form rolls 60 and BI. Such mechanism is best shown in Fig. 4, and, as there shown, the distributor roll 63 comprises a hollow tube or cylinder II closed at either end by a pair of bushings I2 rotatably and slidably mounted on a shaft I0 which is secured against rotation in the frameplates A by a suitable pin 93 upon which the shaft is mounted for a free vertical sliding movement.

Rotatably mounted on the shaft 10 within the tube II is a bearing block 13 which is restrained from longitudinal movement relative to the shaft by a collar I4 secured to the shaft by a pin 1.5. Rotatably mounted on the bearing block, in a plane parallel to the axis of the shaft I0 is a bevel gear 16 which meshes with a bevel pinion I1, rigidly secured to the shaft I0 by a pin 18. Secured to the outer face of the gear I6 is a hearing plate I9 eccentrically pivoted to which is one end of a link 90, the other end of which is pivoted on a pin 9I, carried by ears 92 of the right hand bushing I2. The operation of the mechanism above described is as follows:

When the roll 63 is rotated,as will be hereinafter more fully described, the link connection 90 causes the bearing block I3 to rotate about the shaft I0. The rotation of the bearing block about the shaft causes the gear I8, which meshes with the stationary pinion 11, to rotate about its axis, thereby driving the link or connecting rod 90 and causing the roll 63 to be reciprocated axially on its shaft I0.

The driving mechanism for the various rolls is best shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Power is applied to one of the roll shafts of the printing couple, for example, to the transfer roll shaft 23. Drivingly secured to the shaft 23, as shown in Fig. 2, is a gear I00 which meshes with gears II and I02 secured to shafts 3| and I0 respectively, thereby driving the platen roll 30 and the pattern or form roll II respectively.

The ductor roll 50 of'the repellant feed mechanism is preferably driven from the gear I 02 through a. train of gears and suitable linkage. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a gear I 04 meshes with the gear I02 and is drivingly mounted on a shaft I05 journalled in the supplemental frame members B. Drivingly secured to the shaft I05 is a pinion I06 which meshes with a gear I01 rigidly secured to a stub shaft I08 journalled in the left hand frame plate B. Rigidly secured to the shaft I08 is a suitable cam I09 which coacts with a roller IIO carried on the upper end of a lever I II which is rigidly secured to a rock shaft II2 joumalled in the frame member B. Secured to the rock shaft H2 is an arm II3 which is connected by a link I I4 to one of the levers BI which support the ductor roll 50. A suitable spring II5 (Fig. 3) one end of which is secured to the link H4 at H6 and the other end to the frame B as at 1, serves to maintain the roller 0' in contact with the periphery of the cam I09.

As shown in Fig. 3, the ductor roll 86 of the ink fountain isoperated by the cam I09. A suitable roller H8 is carried by an extension II9 of one of the ductor roll supporting arms 01 and is maintainedv in contact with the cam I08 by a suitable spring I20.

The ink fountain roller 03 is intermittently turned through a partial rotation, the amount of the rotation being'adjustable to control the amount of ink imparted from the fountain roll to the ductor roll 86 at each oscillation of such ductor roll. As shown in Fig. 6, a disc I2I is secured to the stub shaft I08 and eccentrically mounted, by means of a pin I22 in one end of a link I23, the other end of which is secured to a lever I24 rotatably mounted on the shaft I25 which is integral withthe fountain roll 83. A

, provided with a cam surface I 3I' which coacts with a pin I32 on the pawl I26 to disengage the pawl from the ratchet I21 at a predetermined point during the stroke of the lever I24. A spring pressed plunger I33 engages notches I34 in the disk I30 and maintains it in any one of several adjusted positions, whereby the position of the cam surface may be adjustably positioned to change the effective stroke of the pawl I26. A lever I3 is secured to the disk I30 to enable the operator to readily vary the effective stroke of the pawl I26 as more or less ink is required.

I have discovered that I can secure an even distribution of ink onthe pattern I2, despite the gap I02 in the periphery of the pattern roll II and the non-continuity of the pattern or plate I2, by employing a positive gear drive for certain of the rolls of the inking mechanism and driving certain other'rolls by frictional contact with adjacent roll surfaces. This is especially true,

of the three rolls above the printing plate I 2, namely the form rolls 60 and GI and the ink distributor roll 63. I find it highlyadvantageous to so arrange the drive for these rolls that the of ink to all parts of the printing plate and aids materially in rotating the distributor roll. I also find that when the distributor roll and other form roll are frictionally driven through frictional surface contact between the-driven form roll and the pattern respectively and between each other, the ink deposited on the plate by the first form roll is smoothed out and irregularities in the distribution of theink on the plate, due to the gap in the periphery of the pattern roll,

, or the action of the gears, are ironed or smoothed out-by the action of the frictionally driven form tegral with a tubular shaft I40 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft I4I carried by the frame member A. The shaft I4I is constrained against rotation by a pair of pins I42 carried by the frame and projecting through radially extend- As shown, a disk able spring, such as the spring 49 heretofore menins openings in opposite ends of the shaft. Each shaft is mounted in slots I" to prevent radial movement of each roll shaft I40 toward the axis of the pattern roll. Rigidly secured to the flange I46 of the. tube I40 of the form roll 60 is a gear I46 which meshes with the gear I02 of the pattern roll heretofore described. The rolls 6| and 63 are driven from frictional contact with each other and with the pattern and form roll 60 respectively.

As it may sometimes be desired to use the printing machine without the application of a separate ink repellant, as forinstance where ink-repell'ing substances are carried by the ink itself and thus delivered to the plate, I arrange the apparatus so that the repellant-applying mechanism may be readily rendered ineffective. As

shown in Fig. 2, a cam plate'l50 is pivoted to the frame at I 6| and a nose I52 thereof acts on the lever arm 41, below the pivot thereof and rocks a the arm counter-clockwise (Figs. 2 and 3) moving the repellant form roll 46 away from the surface of the pattern and thereby preventing the application of repellant to the pattern I2. A suittioned, is connected between the plate I 50 and the arm 41 in such a manner that it will serve to maintain the arm 41 swung in a counter-clockwise direction and thereby maintain the repellant applicator mechanism inactive. I

It will be seen from the description given-that I have provided a system of inking a planographic printing plate which operates without regard to the gap in the printing cylinder, and thus enables simple and readily operable means to be employed in the cylinder for attaching the ends of the planographic plate. By transferring a regulated quantity of ink from the fountain to a geardriven form roller and then smoothing out the 'very simple manner. Furthermore, by employing the reciprocating frictionally driven distributing roller which carries the ink from the first form roller to the second, I not only provide the frictional drive for the second roller, but smooth the ink coating on it to give the most desirable result a tain. This provides an effective device very suitable for use with repellants in the form of chemical solutions. Finally by the throw-off mechanism, the moisture applicator may be rendered idle and the machine used with ink alone, when the ink carries its own repellant. The whole device is simple and compact and adapted for comfixed on its shaft and having a gear rigid therewith and meshing with the gear on the drum, a second form roller frictionally driven from the first form roller, and means for rotating the drum in the direction to carry the plate first into engagement with the geared roller and thereafter into engagement with the non-geared roller.

3. The combination of a plate cylinder, a form roller geared thereto and extending substantially entirely across said cylinder, a fountain roll, a ductor movable between the fountain roll and the first form roll, a second form roll frictionally driven by the first form roll and the plate, and means for rotating the plate in the direction to cause the gear-driven form roller to act on it in advance of the friction-driven form roller.

4. The combination of a plate cylinder, a form roller geared thereto, a second form roll frictionally driven by the first form roll and an intermediate roller, a fountain roll, a ductor movable between the fountain roll and the first form roll, and a variable ratchet drive for the fountain roll to control the amount of ink fed to the first form roll.

5. The combination of a plate cylinder, a'form roller geared therewith, a fountain roller, 9. ducroller having frictional contact with both of the form'rolls, and means for rotating the plate cylinder in the direction to bring the plate into contact with the second form roll immediately after the'plate contact with the first form roll.

'7. An offset printing machine comprising a plate cylinder, transfer cylinder and a platen cyl- "inder all geared together, a paper feed table in front 'of the line of contact between the transfer cylinder and platen cylinder, an inking roller geared with a plate cylinder, 9. non-geared inking roller behind the geared roller, an intermediate non-driven distributing roller connecting the geared roller with the non-geared roller, and means for supplying ink to one of the rollers in advance of the non-geared form roller, whereby when the machine is driven in the direction to feed paper the plate engages the non-geared inking roller immediately after it has en aged the geared inking roller.

8. In a printing machine, the combination of a plate cylinder and a plurality of form rolls adapted to coact therewith, the form roll which acts last on the plate in the printing rotation being friction-driven, and a preceding form roll being positively gear-driven.

9. A plate cylinder carrying a gear, an inking system comprising a plurality of form rolls and distributing roller means, the form roll which acts last on the plate in printing rotation being driven by friction only, and a preceding form roll form rolls only, theflrst acting form roll being positively gear driven and the last acting form roll being friction driven.

11. In a printing machine, the combination of a cylinder adapted to carry a plate and having a gear, a form roll positively geared with the cylinder gear, and another form roll which is'the last inking roll to act on the plate and which is friction-driven.

12. The combination of a drum carrying a gear and having means for holding a planegraphic plate, an inking system having only two form rolls and having a distributing roll engaging both form rolls, the form roll which acts first on the plate in the printing rotation of the drum having a rigidly carried gear meshing with the drum gear, and the distributing roll being frictionally-driven from the first form roll, and the second form roll being frictionally-driven from the distributing roll.

13. The combination of a plate cylinder, a form rollergeared to the cylinder and non-shiftable along its axis of rotation, a bodily movable ductor adapted to deliver ink periodically to the form roller, a second form roller frictionally driven from the first form roller and the plate, and means for rotating the plate cylinder in such direction that the friction driven roller acts after the gear-driven roller and before the printing impression.

14. The combination of a plate cylinder, a transfer cylinder and a platen, of a gear rigid with the plate cylinder and a pair of inking rolls adapted to coact with the plate, one of said rolls rigidly carrying a gear meshing with the gear rigid with the plate cylinder, the other inking roller frictionally engaging the plate, a distributing roller coacting with the two rollers mentioned, and means for rotating the transfer cylinder and platen in the direction to feed paper between them, the simultaneous rotation of the plate cylinder being in such direction that its plate coacts first with the gear-driven inking roller and then with the friction-driven roller.

15. In a printing machine the combination of a plate cylinder and a plurality of form rolls mounted on fixed axes and extending substantially the length of the plate cylinder, one of said form rolls being positive gear-driven and the other friction-driven.

16. The combination of a plate cylinder carrying a gear, a form roller geared with the plate cylinder by a gear rigid with the form roller, and a second form roller mounted on a fixed axis and frictionally driven by means of the first form roller, said form rollers being carried by a common supporting means in fixed relation to each other.

17. The combination of a plate cylinder, a form roller geared to the cylinder and extending substantially clear across said cylinder, 2. bodily movable ductor adapted to periodically deliver ink to the form roller, and a second form roller frictionally driven from the first form roller and the plate.

18. The combination of a plate cylinder carrying a gear, a form roller rigidly carrying a gear meshing with a gear of the plate cylinder, a second form roller constantly in position to engage the form moving past it and not positively driven, and a distributing rollerfrictionally engaging the first and second form rollers.

- i HENRY C. OSBORN 

